Introspection and Reflection Questions
- On page 49, Obama lists the values that are important to his mother, and writes about the ways of living in the world that she wants her son to understand and practice. Are these values familiar to you? Do you think these are the most important values to adopt in life? How are your values different from those of Obama’s mother?
- Still a very young boy, just nine years old, Obama reads an article that both frightens and impresses him. Why was that article so important to Obama? Do you remember something you read as a young child that has stayed with you? What did you read, how did it affect you, and why do you continue to think about it?
Suggestions for Essays, Presentations, and Research Projects
- Throughout this chapter, Obama describes life in Indonesia. He’s a young boy in a part of the world that is very strange and different for him. He paints a rich and detailed picture of what he is experiencing. Please pick two aspects of the Indonesian life he describes and explain what he has learned about the country, its culture and its people. Then, in an essay or presentation, discuss how what he learns affects his developing identity, his knowledge of himself, and his understanding of how the world works.
- In Chapter One, we read about the dreams of Obama’s father and grandfather. In Chapter Two, we are introduced to Lolo and we read about his dreams. What connections can you find among all of these dreams? They are the dreams of grown men, but are they similar? Different? How? In an essay or presentation, please compare and contrast the dreams of these very different men, and explain what those dreams tell you about each man.
- As you know from reading Chapter 2, Obama learned a great deal during his three years in Indonesia. Although he was a young boy, he remembers being aware of the political conflict there, and makes reference to the U.S. involvement in that conflict. Please read Obama’s summary of those events on page 41, and then read through the materials on Indonesian history available through the links below and in the Resources section. Prepare a presentation or digital story explaining what happened in Indonesia between 1945 and 1969.
Useful Links for Further Research
Overview of Indonesian History: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1260544.stm
Timeline for Indonesian History: http://www.40yearsofsilence.com/page/indonesian